Ms. MaryAnne Kelly joins Pueblo High School this 2023-24 school year as the new college algebra teacher.
Kelly previously taught at University High School but chose to transition to PHS for the opportunity to teach dual enrollment class, giving students the chance to earn college credit.
Although she is new to Pueblo this is hardly Kelly’s first year as a teacher.
“This is my 39th year teaching,” Kelly said, “but coming to a new school is exciting and challenging.”
She added, “I hope my legacy at Pueblo is that people will remember me fondly and really learn math,” Kelly said.
Kelly comes to Pueblo with an impressive collegiate record…
She has earned many degrees from multiple schools including a Bachelor’s of Arts, a Bachelor’s of Science, a Post Bachelor’s Degree in Math/Science Education, a Master’s in Education, a Graduate Certificate in ED Media, and a certificate in Community College Teaching (Math)—from various colleges, including the University of Arizona, Northern Arizona University and Arizona State University.
She said that she will be attending online classes studying abstract algebra at the University of Northern Colorado.
Kelly said that she felt the magic of Pueblo High School from the very beginning and added, “My students are personable and don’t give up, and I look forward to teaching math to all of them.”
Coming all the way from Tennessee, Ms. Kalen Hancock has joined the Pueblo faculty family as the new science teacher, replacing former teacher Ms. Melissa Espindola who left last spring to pursue another college degree in Chicago, Ill.
Hancock’s classroom, Room 166, may be isolated from most of the other science classes, but she admitted she has felt “an extraordinary” community feel from PHS students and teachers.
“Moving to Pueblo truly felt refreshing,” Hancock. “I love seeing new people and moving into new places. It makes life more exciting. Everybody has been so welcoming to me from the very beginning.”
Hancock earned a degree in social engineering and chemistry, which she said will benefit her students and will support her endeavors as an educator.
“Being at Pueblo this year feels like being a young teacher again,” she said. “I have a lot to teach students here.”
Hancock said that she is proud to report that she has not dealt with any negative student behaviors.
“It’s been nothing but fun so far,” she said. “I have a positive learning environment, and I believe that this trend is going to continue throughout the school year.”
She added, “I love this school’s culture! Everybody is kind, and I just love how immersive the culture is between students and teachers.”
Pueblo High School’s very own Mr. Ernesto Somoza, who teaches graphic design and sponsors numerous clubs, has been named Raytheon’s Teacher of the Year, among the dozens of applicants from many high schools in the Tucson area.
After being nominated in August by Pueblo colleague, economics teacher Ms. Mary Wallace, Somoza endured several levels of eligibility—and in the end, received the call that informed him that he was one of three teachers who would receive a $5,000 grant.
Somoza said, “I was eventually notified that I was a finalist, which made me really happy.” He paused and added, “Then, I had to be at my best during a Zoom interview—competing against other finalists.”
He added, “I almost missed the phone call the next day that informed me that I was the recipient of the award. I kept ignoring a call during first period because I didn’t recognize the call number and name. But, luckily, I eventually answered my phone a few times later and learned of my award.”
This is not Somoza’s first time at being honored by local organizations. He has been recognized by the TUSD media, Tucson Values Teachers and by the University of Arizona.
“Being recognized for what I do at Pueblo is truly elating,” Somoza said. “My job is challenging, although I’ve never looked at it as a job because it’s too much fun.” He paused and added, “All teachers work hard to inspire their students and to prepare them for the future. I wish I could share this award with everybody.”
Besides dedicating his school day as a graphic teacher for the past six years, Somoza also sponsors/teachers the Bicycle Club, the Hiking Club and also volunteers his time for various other projects, including district and community leaders.
“Our [Pueblo] students need to compete with others across the city,” Somoza said, “and this grant money will help me afford the equipment necessary to expedite this process.”
Somoza and his students recently began to design and create T-shirts for various Pueblo clubs after purchasing equipment necessary for such a venture.
“There’s so much more I need in my classroom to compete with other high schools’ graphic design programs,” Somoza said, “but I feel confident that we’re on our way. I want Pueblo to be the district and community leader in this field.”
Somoza is currently applying for another grant award that would help him achieve this status. He encourages other educators to apply for grants in their subject matter because “they’re out there.” These grants, he asserts, will make positive changes in students’ learning.
“I see how engaged students are when they’re learning graphic design with state of the art equipment,” said Somoza, “This enthusiasm and engagement really does change their perspectives and turns otherwise disinterested students into individuals who truly want to learn and share their knowledge with others. This contagion is absolutely amazing to observe.”
Ms. Mary Wallace, who nominated Somoza for this award, said, “Ernie [Somoza] is the most amazing STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering and Math] teacher I have ever met! He helps everybody selflessly with his knowledge of technology.”
With a future full of new adventures and new projects, Somoza shares his happiness for what he does for a living.
“What I do [at Pueblo] just happens to award me a paycheck every two weeks,” he said. “The real reward is preparing students for success and instilling them with the kind of knowledge with which they can graduate and use forever.”
Out of 305 nominees from 38 states and 17 countries, Pueblo U.S. history teacher Mr. Cristobal Santa-Cruz was nominated and selected as one of this year’s winners of the prestigious Yale Educator Award, which recognizes high school educators who have motivated and supported students to go and be “above and beyond”.
These educators are nominated by students, and these nominations are reviewed by admissions officers at Yale University.
“I felt privileged because I know that several teachers deserved this award,” said Santa Cruz, who was nominated by Pueblo High School’s Class of 2021 valedictorian Yakeleen Almazán, currently attending Yale University in New Haven, Conn.
“Once I read the Yale Educator Award prompt, I automatically thought of Mr. Santa Cruz.” said Almazán.
Almazán thanks Santa Cruz for all of the encouragement he gave her. She believes that because of his support, she was accepted to Yale and was selected for one of the most prestigious scholarships for high school students.
“Not only did he touch my life, but he is legendary at Pueblo for his amazing lectures and the motivation he instills within his students,” Almazán said.
She added that Santa Cruz’ interactive style of teaching allows his students to be engaged in their classwork and deeply interested in the subject.
“I can honestly say that I was never bored—not even once—while I was in his classroom,” Almazan said. “I was always fully attentive and fascinated during his lectures.”
Ms. Mary Wallace, an economics teacher at Pueblo, added that Santa Cruz has been an unconditional ally to his co-educators and staff throughout their years of teaching.
“He is the most amazing teacher I ever met,” said Wallace. “When I was a first-year teacher, he took me under his wing and helped me so much. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have made it my first year.”
Santa Cruz, who has been teaching at Pueblo for 29 years, was publicly recognized for this award at Pueblo’s Homecoming game on Oct. 1.
“When my students leave my class, my hope is that they have the skills that help them become literate members of our society and that they adhere to a tenacious spirit that helps them further their education in the field they choose to follow,” he said.
Due to the pandemic that has stopped Pueblo from its normal functions since last March, the College and Career bulletin has still been available to provide Pueblo’s community with various types of information aimed at helping students succeed.
This bulletin is especially essential for seniors planning their futures.
Mr. Roberto Cruze
Mr. Roberto Cruze, Pueblo’s College and Career Coordinator, emphasizes the importance of this bulletin. One of his goals consists of more seniors having access to the bulletin’s information and to inform the entire school of other academic programs and announcements.
“It’s ‘GO’ time when it’s your senior year,” he said, emphasizing the importance of students preparing for post-high school life.
Cruze stated that this bulletin has been accessible to students for several years and has gone through many shapes so that the bulletin is now accessible to students online, which has become especially important this school year due to students not being on campus.
He stated that the bulletin has piqued the interest of many seniors who are interested in applying for college. In fact, the bulletin has been able to increase the number of student applications for the University of Arizona by 96%, Cruze stated.
“It’s very important that seniors start mailing their applications,” he said. “We are already halfway through the school year.”
Cruze said that he does feel some frustration not knowing if all students are reading the important information listed on the bulletins. He makes it easy for students to have access to this important information by adding them to the Warrior Weekly or emailing it directly to teachers who are hopefully passing the bulletins on to students or posting them online.
“I am considering sending the bulletin directly to students’ emails to confirm they have the bulletin,” Cruze said.
Cruze said the most enjoyable thing about the bulletin is the variety of information and opportunities offered to students. He added that he would continue to offer the online and print versions of the bulletin for students when Pueblo is reopened. A QR code may also become available for students to access the bulletin through an electronic device.
“[Seniors], make sure you are getting offers from schools that help you reach your future academic goals,” Cruze said.
Even with the rocky start of the 2020-2021 school year, Pueblo High School’s teachers remain faithful and committed to teaching our Warriors.
One of those loyal teachers is Ms. Teresa McCormack, who has called Pueblo “home” since the fall of 2018, when she was simultaneously completing a one-year master’s teaching program at the University of Arizona while student-teaching Spanish I and II at PHS.
McCormack currently teaches ELD I (English) to freshmen and sophomores.
“I miss my kids!” McCormack said. “I miss the whole interaction with them. I want to come back. I’m not planning to retire nor resign like some teachers did or are. The students at Pueblo are awesome, fun, respectful, and they create an atmosphere not seen or felt in other high schools. The staff and administration at Pueblo played a huge factor in me being at Pueblo.”
McCormack earned her bachelor’s in education in 2017, with honors, and she taught in Germany a year before coming to Pueblo High School.
“My husband served in the Air Force for 24 years, and several times we were stationed overseas, including Germany,” she said. “Living there was a once in a lifetime experience.”
While living abroad on a military installation, McCormack accepted a job as a para-professional working with general and special education high schoolers.
“It was the best time ever!” McCormack said. “I met students from all over the 50 states, and I still keep in touch with some of them through social media.”
She said that she chose her teaching field because she wanted to have a positive and influential impact on the next generation.
“As a teacher’s aide for more than 10 years, I saw a connection that I had with teenagers,” McCormack said. “I did not want to lose that impact on future students who I had not met yet.”
When students and teachers are allowed to return to campus, McCormack said that she will do everything possible to make her classroom a safe environment. McCormack hopes to be able to help her students in person and to continue giving them positive advice. She added that she wants to continue to encourage her students to follow their dreams in life without obstacles.
“I can’t wait to come back to the classroom,” McCormack said
